RESI Continues to Monitor Policy Developments in Industry–Research Collaboration: Why Linkage Projects Deserve Early Attention
For businesses and organisations seeking government funding support, GrantConnect remains an important official entry point for identifying policy opportunities. However, not every worthwhile programme should be understood as something that is immediately open for application. The real value of some opportunities lies in the signal they send: the next round is already beginning to take shape, and the earlier an organisation prepares, the more confidently it may be able to enter when the time comes.
If your organisation works in research support, industry white papers, long-term technology collaboration, or is seeking to build joint research relationships with universities, this is the kind of programme worth planning for in advance
Linkage Projects
Among the opportunities currently worth watching, Linkage Projects are a clear example of a programme that is better suited to early preparation than to rushed entry. For organisations engaged in industry research, knowledge translation, long-term technology collaboration, or university–industry partnership projects, this programme category deserves particularly close attention. Public information from the Australian Research Council indicates that the purpose of Linkage Projects is to initiate or develop long-term strategic research alliances, apply advanced knowledge to practical problems, and generate commercial or broader social benefits from research outcomes. It is not a standard grant that a single business submits directly. Instead, applications are lodged through a university research office via the RMS system, with the business participating as an industry partner.
This type of programme is especially relevant to businesses or platform organisations that are already paying attention to long-term industry challenges, research translation, and sustained collaboration with universities. In other words, it is not designed for applicants who are simply seeking a short-term grant. Rather, it is more likely to attract those that wish to use industry–research collaboration to build long-term research relationships and pathways for knowledge transfer around real sector issues. For organisations of this kind, the value of the programme lies not only in potential funding, but also in the long-term collaborative structure it represents.
- Applications are lodged through a university research office via the RMS system.
- Businesses usually need to provide cash or in-kind contributions.
- The programme is centred on long-term strategic research alliances, not short-term funding.
In practice, these projects usually require businesses to provide cash or in-kind contributions and to prepare a detailed research plan, letters of support from industry partners, and documentation relating to the lead researcher. For that reason, their appeal does not lie in administrative simplicity, but in the way they can connect businesses, research institutions, and industry problems in a more structured and meaningful way.
One important point should be made clear: Linkage Projects 2026 (GO8179) is currently listed as closed. It should therefore not be presented as an opportunity that can be applied for immediately, but rather as one that is worth preparing for and positioning around ahead of a future round. It should also be noted that this programme is not best understood as a grant with a simple fixed funding amount. Its real substance lies in the research partnership structure, the long-term alliance value, and the overall design of the project, rather than in a single standardised public funding figure.
What can RESI do?
RESI continues to monitor policy developments and to review the application logic, core process requirements, and common barriers associated with relevant grant opportunities. Our aim is to help the industry assess, at an earlier stage, whether a particular opportunity is suitable, whether it is worth pursuing, and what the next step into the process may look like. For many organisations, gaining clarity on direction before formally committing resources is often more valuable than rushing into the process too early.
Contact RESI
If you are currently focused on industry research, university collaboration, long-term joint technology initiatives, or on building a more structured mechanism for addressing long-term industry challenges, then a policy opportunity such as Linkage Projects is worth planning for in advance. As eligibility criteria, collaboration structures, and documentation requirements are often complex, it is generally advisable to undertake an initial feasibility and suitability assessment before making a formal commitment. If you would like to assess whether your project may be suitable for a future round, you are welcome to contact RESI.